Couple Showers: Coed Themes & Ideas

More and more women are letting guys in on the ultimate “girls only” affair: the bridal shower. Here are some great, gender-friendly party ideas.

Pizza Party

From primary school gatherings to late-night teenage cravings, pizza is a coed crowd-pleaser. Supply the dough, the sauce, and the toppings, then put would-be master chefs to work in the kitchen. Spin some Louis Prima records to set the mood; for favors, consider red-and-white checkered napkins (a la old-fashioned pizza parlor).

Gift ideas: cooking classes, a pizza stone set, or a food processor.

The Great Outdoors

Host a barbecue. For one day, throw cholesterol cares to the wind and feast on chicken, ribs, baked potatoes, coleslaw, and bread rolls. Play volleyball, bocce, and blast music that screams summer lovin’. A bowl or jug of sangria are essential, so be prepared. Encourage guests to wear swimming attire, give out sunblock or candles as favors, and toast marshmallows as the grill cools down.

Gift ideas: grilling utensils, a barbecue grill, or a volleyball set.

Sunday Style

Throw a Sunday brunch. Pancakes, waffles, omelets, and Bloody Marys know no gender and will make this shower a surefire hit. Be sure to disconnect the Foxtel and frisk everyone for the Sunday paper: You don’t want world news or a televised sporting event upstaging the soiree!

Gift ideas: a griddle, a waffle iron, a juicer, or an espresso maker.

The Oscar Gala

Treat the couple like celebrity superstars: Throw them a shower on Oscar night, the film fanatic’s Super Bowl equivalent. Make score sheets and give a prize to the guest who picks the most award winners. Knot Note: If the timing of the Oscars (late March) won’t work, you can always throw the party in conjunction with the MTV Movie Awards (June), the Golden Globes (January), or the Tony Awards (June). Use formal invitations, shiny platinum paper goods and cutlery, a disco ball for glitzy glamour, gleaming silver balloons, and a wide-screen TV. Serve Hollywood-like Cosmopolitons, Champagne cocktails, and dry Martinis (three green olives apiece for an ultra-classic garnish). Since the bulk of the evening will be spent squealing over the stars, you needn’t worry about preparing a luxe offering of hors d’oeuvres. Guests may be quite content with a spread of movie-theatre munchies.

The Fiery Fiesta

Heat up the shower in a sexy, South American style. The caliente atmosphere will have a coed crowd munching tortillas and mambo-ing till midnight. Use chili-pepper-themed invitations, lighting, and cocktail napkins. And don’t forget the pinata! Serve Mexican fare and margaritas in multiple flavors. Splurge on a live salsa or mariachi band, and save on centrepieces. Simply scatter traditional, brightly colored Mexican paper flowers (one stem per table) to save money.

Gift ideas: A hammock, a grill, a portable blender for drink mixing and glasses set.

The Formal-A-Thon

A tongue-in-cheek prom party allows the guests of honour (and pals) to rehash high-school drama and decadence. For authentic ambience, look into renting out a local school hall. Ask guests to bring dates and dress the part — award prizes to anyone who shows up wearing the gear they actually wore as a tinsel-toothed teen (e.g., teal taffeta, partner’s jackets, and band uniforms). Crown the couple king and queen. Use formal-like invitations with a saccharine-sweet theme; pink and purple balloons with outrageous paper fans and streamers to match. Serve spiked punch. Sp lurge on a DJ who can turn out favourite high-school hits. Appoint someone to take instant photos of guests. Let these fun snapshots serve as party keepsakes and provide elegant lined envelopes for transporting them home.Gift ideas: Tickets to a rock concert, gift certificates to a local pizza joint or bowling alley, or his ‘n’ hers skateboards/scooters.

The Martini Mixer

If you’re feting a fashionable couple, you need only mix up some marvelous martinis. Turn your living room into a lavish, dimly lit lounge. Offer cigarettes on serving trays. Hire a jazz quartet to fill the space with sultry, rhythmic sounds. Send classy invitations, provide paper gear and cutlery in Midnight Black, retro coasters, and a bartender (a pro or a pal). Serve martinis from a wide spectrum — think about presenting colorful, luscious adaptations at individual sampling stations with complementary hors d’oeuvres. Splurge on barware — enough to accommodate your crowd. Save money on the brands of booze. We know you’re a sucker for style, but you don’t have to offer the fanciest vodka and gin around (otherwise the liquor bill will hurt more than your post-party hangover).